Just a heads-up, we're close to rolling out a shiny new website and we've had to make some changes which may affect the way our current course information is displayed. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

Art & Design A-Level

Art & Design at A-Level provides students with the opportunity to learn and develop a range of skills in relation to drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media. This is taught initially through a six-week induction period at the beginning of the first year, and then through personal responses to unit themes and externally set assignments provided by the exam board.

Students produce a body of work for all units, following the art process from initial research and starting points, through development and experimentation towards a final response in the form of a finished piece. Alongside their development work, students research a range of relevant artists to gain inspiration for their own creative ideas and themes.

There will be opportunities to visit exhibitions and galleries, locally and nationally, on a London residential trip, to expose you to current trends. You will have the opportunity to be exhibited at the College’s prestigious end of year Summer Exhibition, with a private viewing in front of creative professionals, and there are even opportunities to become involved with a number of “live” commercial projects, commissioned throughout the year.

Assessment of course work is based on clearly defined criteria at each stage, through 4 mandatory units:

Year 1
- Unit 1 is portfolio of work set and marked by the centre and moderated by AQA
- Unit 2 is an externally set assignment. It is produced in supervised conditions over 5 hours and will be marked by the centre and moderated by AQA

Year 2
- Unit 3 is a personal investigation supported by written element of 1000-3000 words, set and marked by the centre and moderated by AQA
- Unit 4 is an externally set assignment. It is produced in timed conditions over 15 hours. Work produced will be marked by the centre and moderated by AQA

Your work will be assessed through a combination of observation and evaluation of practical outcomes, research, development and analysis of projects and written evaluations of finished projects. Verbal and written feedback is integrated at each stage.

The course can be taken in the following ways:
- Within KC Sixth with another two, possibly three A-Levels, tutorial and optional EPQ and Core maths
- As an ‘add on’ to a Full Time Level 3 Study Programme at the College, for example alongside a BTEC Extended Diploma
- As a stand-alone part-time course

How will I be assessed?

Career Opportunities

An A-Level Art & Design qualification can enable you to progress to Higher Education either through the College’s 1 year Foundation in Art, Design & Photography, or through direct application to HNC/D and BA Degree courses.

The qualification also provides a platform to progress into the creative industries in a number of different ways; there are great benefits to having practical and creative skills and knowledge in Graphic Communication within the design, marketing and advertising industries and many web-based creative careers where graphic skills are highly valued.

Entry requirements

5 GCSEs at Grade C or above (or 4) in any examined subject. Must include English Language and Maths.

An interview and portfolio of art and design related work will be required by all applicants.

You should also ideally have a Grade C or above in GCSE Art and Design, GCSE Photography, or another art related subject; applicants without these qualifications can still apply, providing they can demonstrate relevant experience and commitment to the study of graphics at interview.

Adult fees

£941.00

Please note: If you are an adult student you may be entitled to financial support to cover the cost of your course, dependent on your circumstances. Please contact Student Services on enquiries@kendal.ac.uk for details. More about Student Finance.